Pedestrian hit, killed by patrol car in Polk Co. | News

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Auburndale, Florida -- A 56-year-old man was killed Friday morning after he was hit by a Polk County Sheriff's deputy at an Auburndale intersection.

Investigators say around 6 a.m., 21-year-old Polk County Sheriff's Deputy William Tull has just finished his shift and was heading east on Havendale Boulevard in his patrol car when Martin Knoetzsch walked into the car's path at the 42nd Street intersection.

Knoetzsch was hit by the right front passenger side of the car and died at the scene. He was wearing jeans and medium- to dark-colored striped shirt at the time.

Preliminary information was that the traffic light was green and the deputy had the right-of-way. Deputy Tull was wearing a seatbelt at the time and was not injured.

The road was closed for about 3-and-a-half hours while deputies investigated.

The sheriff's office say on Monday, June 9, Auburndale Police responded to the area of Havendale and 42nd Street regarding two separate reports of Knoetzsch walking into traffic; once at approximately 11:00 a.m., and again at approximately 5:00 p.m. Additional information indicates Knoetzsch habitually wandered into parking lots and into Havendale Boulevard asking motorists for money.

Deputy Tull has been placed on paid administrative leave. Deputy Tull has been with the sheriff's office since February 2012.